Analogies, anthropomorphisms and chemistry

CHED 147

James R. Jeitler, jim.jeitler@marietta.edu, Department of Chemistry, Marietta College, 215 5th St, Marietta, OH 45750
Chemistry is a difficult subject to understand. One reason for this is the inability to “see” chemistry. Students can often see the results of a chemical reaction such as heat transfer or precipitate formation; however, they can not see the chemicals reacting, much less the molecules, atoms or electrons that are involved in the reactions. For this reason, it is often helpful to have a macroscopic model or analogy for students to relate to. Analogies have proved to be useful at different levels of chemistry. The analogies, both descriptive and physical, and anthropomorphisms described here have been used in general, organic and inorganic chemistry with varying degrees of success. Descriptive analogies such as the “mole map” analogy for stoichiometry have proven effective at the introductory level; physical analogies have been helpful in discussing energy and energy levels while anthropomorphisms have been used to discuss the octet rule and organic reactions. These strategies and others will be presented.
 

General Posters
7:30 PM-9:30 PM, Sunday, April 6, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Sci-Mix

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008